After claims of the international retailer copying local designer Laduma Ngxokolo's designs on a pair of sock in their stores, Zara has confirmed that they will be removing the socks from their online and retail stores.

Since the image of the "MaXhosa-esque" socks surfaced online the global retailer has come under heavy fire from on social media, and even received criticism from the Proudly SA organisation.

The socks that are at the centre of the copyright claims. Picture: Twitter

Ngxokolo also released a statement on his Instagram page voicing his displeasure, saying he was seeking legal advice as to how to address the matter.

However, in a statement issued to TsishaLIVE, Zara explains the actions they are taking for the removal of the products.

"Inditex, the parent company of Zara, has the utmost respect for individual creativity and takes all claims concerning third party intellectual property rights very seriously. As a preventive action, the process to immediately remove this item both from stores and online was activated at the moment this situation was brought to our attention," the statement reads.

The retailer also made it clear that an internal investigation is underway and that they will be contacting Ngxokolo's representatives to resolve the situation quickly.